More than 40 Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) students, faculty and staff visited the state Capitol on April 15 to show support for public higher education.
This year, the annual Higher Education Day and Oklahoma’s Promise Day events were held together, giving students from across the state the chance to speak with legislators, share their stories, and see how public policy shapes the future of education.
“This was a great hands-on experience for our students,” said Shanna Padgham, OCCC professor of political science. “This is the first time many of them have visited the Capitol. They met their representatives and had a chance to advocate for issues that are important to them.”
Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Program, established in 1992, helps fund college tuition for eligible students. Many OCCC students rely on the program to access higher education and prepare for careers.
During the Oklahoma’s Promise program, OCCC alumnus and state Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval received a Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education, recognizing his support during the 2024 legislative session.
“Higher Ed Day and Oklahoma’s Promise Day gave our students a chance to engage with the legislative process and speak to the value of higher education,” said Brandon Brooks, OCCC’s associate vice president for external affairs. “It also gave lawmakers a real look at the students their support impacts — future members of Oklahoma’s workforce.”
In addition to advocacy at the Capitol, students visited the Oklahoma Judicial Center, where Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma D. Gurich led a tour and shared reflections on the value of education.
“We are educating and learning at the same time,” Gurich said. “It’s important to be a role model and to recognize the impact we all have in shaping our communities.”
OCCC student Sergio Moctezuma said participating in the event opened his eyes to how change can happen.
“I never thought I’d be speaking with lawmakers or standing in the Capitol like this,” Moctezuma said. “Being here makes me recognize that the legislators are people just like me, and that has encouraged me to use my voice because education is something worth fighting for.”
Learn more about OCCC’s political science program.
For more information about Higher Education Day and Oklahoma’s Promise Day, visit the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education website. Click here.
